Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-03-19

MEXICO AND THE MExuCANs.
From Qucrcsaro % the Cisy q Mexics.
MEXICAN TKicks or rRApE-REsxNsrArcE or ouERE-
rARo 10 HAvASA-xAxrxItiASs ENVIRONMENT
AMI. KxEcuTroS-rrrRBIpE sANlsnKp, ruEx suOs
MEXICAN HOTELS AND BILLS OF FARE.
Correspondence OF The EVENING sraR
IrrRBIpr HorEr, Cry or MEXICO, March M.
The tourist is amused at the rapidlty with which
the natives OF Mexico fan into the habits az the
higher civilization OF their American ncighbors
Our party had a notable illustration at Irapuafo
In our journey southwark, where baskets OF an
parently most luscious Strawberries were pur
chased which in every instance proved 20 contain
a few berries and large amount OF cabbage leaf
and alfalfa. Queretaro, where we spent a day A
one OF the quaintest cities In the republic, has
$1,000 Inhabitants and Is l53 miles north
OF the city OF Mexico. It's early founda.
ton was laid In 1881 by a chief OF the
otomite indians In appearance the city re-
sembles Havana, the buildings having the same
mellowness and vartegated colors. and the narrow
exotics, all bear a likeness 10 that old spanish
town. There is here one OF the finest aqueducts
on the continent, some OF It's arches being ninety
feet high The city OF to-day Is Just as antiouated
as IL was two centuries ago.
Being very religious people the bells OF half
hundred churches are Changing increasingly. The
place was made notable by ratification OF ths
treaty OF peace with the United states by ths
Mexican congress assembled in this ancestral capi-
tai or the state OF Queretaro. The city founded
by the royal order OF Philip Nv. became an impor-
tant strategetic point In the revolt against spain
and its wariise people Sgnalzed their devotion 70
country In numerous conflicts. II was here that
MAMMALIAN, after siege OF many months
through the treachery q his bosom friend, Col
Lopez, was compelled 70 surrender 10 the liberal
forces: Here he was imprisoned in Q vault with
uSsld as 10
the soldiers. A court-martial made short work &C
OF the case. and Macmillan, Miramon and MegiA
ordered postponement OF the execution for Q
short time. A strong protest was made by our
which many Mexicans Joined
The Princess Salm-Salm made q pilgrimage on
horseback 160mlles and on her knees before JIarr1
she pleaded I'm tears for
THE LIFE OF rHE BRAVE MAMMALIAN
but pleadings and tears were IN vain. A carriage
ride out OF the city, rugged plain, broughs
us TO a rocky hill rising high above the city. As
we stand on the spot where the brave leader tentea
traces OF the earth-works being still distinctl-
visible-our guide pointed out the spot wher3
seventy-nve soldiers stood, the army thanking
them Oh either side; the condemned generalc
faced them fifteen PAGES distant Macmillan OPEN
ing his bosom, asked that he might be shot In tbs
breast, that his mother might look on his face
unmarried II his body should he sent TO Austria
The request being granted, he said: II forgive al
and pray all 10 forgive me. pray that my blood
about 10 he sheu VIII low for the good OF Mexico.
Live Mexico. live Independencef' The deadly
shots were fired and the three brave men fell dead
Juarez ordered the embalming Of Maximiliana
body and IL was sent To Austria for IT'S final en-
tombment. Three shafts arising from a base OF
sond masonry nave been erected as monument
standing on this historic spot the quaint old city
lying below, with its domes. towers and turrets,
all aglow with the morning sunlight, what strange
quesionings rush into the mind. Three and a.
half centuries have passed with their wars sieges
and conquests and this land with inexhaustibe
mineral resources, with vast fertile plains VITA
with an open way on two oceans to the markets
OF the world, is still scarcely semi-civzed. As our
train leaves this historic city We come under one
OF the great arches OF the aqueduct. sixty feet
high. On our way southwark the haciendas arr
gatherng sneir Crops ana the old fnreshing oo
the irrigating bitches the faithful water carriers
the old wells are all familiar pictures OF the
manners ana customs OF Egypt two Thousand
Tula, through which we pass in the state Of
iasgG Sery Td ard R anlasa ted, town Of
and was In the long ago the ancient Aztec capital
The scholar and the historian can here spend
hours among carvings In the old musty cloisteu
| or examining the walls OF the decayfng puebias
and the prehistoric relics which here are found I'm
great numbers. AS we near the city OF Mexico our
train sweeps twelve miles along what seems q
deep canon, 300 feet broad and $50 feet deep.
This cut, originally tunnel, was made by the
Spahiards, who employed Ii, 900 Indians upon the
work. Its object To reduce the waters of Lakes
Texfco Zumpango and Cr1stobal which annually
In, and FOR fye years about 1880. heavy and con-
tinuous rains flooded the city and caused great
suffering among the people. The work falling, the
passed before any effort made for its compile
ton. Indeed, IL is still an unfinished work, and
various projects are entertained OF deepening the
cut and making q tunnel large and ample for the
sewage OF the city OF Mexico which Is now entirely
destitute OF such sorely needed outlet. After
eighteen days ana nights on the sleeper, eight OF
which have been spent In this republic among new
sights and strange scenes. our party q s,xty nn1
ourselves In
THE ruRsrpE HOTEL IN THE CITY OF MEXICO.
dismal "A ralf M n
former century, is built On the ground OF an old
convent. The house Is notable as having been
the castle OF Iturbide during his ephemerai reign
when raised TO the throne by the army and the
clergy. Congress approved his elevation under
duresS and he dissolved the body and Imprisoned
| its dangerous members. He selected two depu-
ties from each province and set up new dynasty.
| His reign was short lved-he was dethroned and
| banished with life annuity OF $4,000 per
| annum. Assuming 10 advise his friends by n COM
| munication from London, adecree was issued that
lturbde on his return should be put 10 death q
traitor Ignorant Of this action on his arrival he
| words were: "Mexcans! In the very act OF my
death recommend TO you love OF our country and
the observance OF our holy religion; thus shall We
be led to glory. die for having come 10 help you
die gladly. because die among you. die with
honor, not as atrator. DO not leave the stain
On November z, 1923 q constitution similar TO
our own establishing the united states OF Mexico,
was adopted. Immediately thereafter two great
parties were formed, the centralists conserva.
lives and the federalists or liberals The conflicts
between tQe warning elefnents OF tneSp Two
factions have been the birth pang OF every uprfs-
ing and revolution up to the present day. Mexi-
can hotels are very unlike those found in the
states The rooms seem damp, cold aud cherries.
Their dining rooms are nothing but second class
restaurants During our stay In the city we took
our meals at
THE ANGLAlsR CAFE. A DECIDEDLY MEXICAN APFAul
The floor was covered with sawdust, the bar was
| on one side OF the room and the waters could
speak scarce q word OF English. Mex1cans are
men or easy habits, and one walks In, under an
immense sombrero, smoking his cigar seats him
| SELF and orders his breakfast. Another comes I'm
with his beautiful senorita and the table he
lights his cigarette, and during the meal he smokes
eats and chats in a delightfully."- pleasant manner.
All meals are served In courses. At dinner, INST
comes SOUP next fish, sfewed kidneys, Calves
brains, veal with potatoes eggs fried with peppers
turkey and fruit. The menu may be changed, but
the horr1d method Of serving is always the same.
The walters yell at each other I'm Spanish and the
whole scene is a novel one from beginning 10 end
Every few days adobe dollars put on plates by the
walters are q gentle reminder that guests are ex.
pected TO shell out literally To the poor fellows.
who receive no other compensation for their ser.
vices IL requires large amount or patience and
a comfortable fee 10 procure pitcher OF hot water
from the Mexican youth who makes your bed. This
necessity is thin cotton mattress laid on planks
for springs. In the morning you are fortunate AZ
your ears are not sore from lying on your hard
pillow. AT night you sigh for a little fire In your
damp room, but are soon told that there is not a
chimney In public or private house In the city.
An American gentleman, temporarily I'm Mexico,
Informed me that In answer TO his request for .
stove In his room his gracious landlord kindly en-